tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37960886880925972062018-11-14T04:09:55.962-05:00the tea conjurerDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-63677809921209913742017-10-22T20:22:00.000-04:002017-10-22T20:22:13.159-04:00a little break.<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/37157340684/in/dateposted/" title="stayman winesap."><img alt="stayman winesap." height="458" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4478/37157340684_cb0d9ef0ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />School has had me drained these past few weeks, and so I was so thankful to have a chance to get away from my studies and spend some time outdoors with some wonderful friends! Even now I should be writing an essay, but I am tired of being glued to history books for the time being.<br /><br />We drove to Solebury Orchards, a local pick-your-own apple spot nestled within the most idyllic spread of farmlands and colonial buildings our area has to offer.<br /><br />The three of us wandered deep into the rows of Stayman Winesap apples and ultimately spent more time taking photos than picking apples, but we did get a good amount of fruit from the loaded branches! The weather was a bit unseasonably warm, and the sun made it feel like it was more August than October, but the smell of apples in the air was undeniably autumnal.<br /><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/37157338994/in/dateposted/" title="everything apple."><img alt="everything apple." height="458" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4451/37157338994_510e1fde0b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><br />Once my assignments let up I hope to bake these apples into pie, and have some cozy food ready for when the temperatures dip back down into chillier territory. I left the orchard with some wonderful cider, lots of donuts, and a warm feeling in my heart. All too often schoolwork forces me to become reclusive and bars from me from getting out and having fun. This week was so severe that I started feeling less like a person, and more like a robot just processing information for upcoming tests.<br /><br />I'm so thankful I got to spend the day away from my computer, my schoolwork, and everything else that has been looming over me. Today was such a happy day shared with wonderful people!<br /><br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-15004693947144808382016-08-15T22:41:00.000-04:002016-08-15T22:41:09.493-04:00two weeks.<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/28877934262/in/dateposted/" title="quiet afternoon."><img alt="quiet afternoon." height="457" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8662/28877934262_616cb6064c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Such a strange feeling -- in two weeks time I'll be starting classes at my dream school. I had applied and constantly told myself to not get my hopes up, and then in May I found out I was accepted. I was in quite a state of shock, and ended up bursting into tears when I found out at work!<br /><br />I've been largely absent online over the summer because of that. You know how, when a major life change is happening, you kinda want to just focus on finding your center? That's what I've been doing. For the past few years my main focus was building up my academic resume to make up for my poor performance in high school (10 years ago!) and now my focus is shifting towards my long term career goals.<br /><br />I read lots and lots of books this summer. Not new ones, but old favorites. I focused on creating a space that was perfectly peaceful and shifted my room around a lot. I talked with my adviser about my interests, and I started to get excited. Excited and terrified. The school is a very rigorous women's liberal arts college. They expect a lot from their students, and soon I'll be spending much of my free time working on assignments after class in a library carrel.<br /><br />I never really thought I'd be excited about this sort of thing. I was never one to care much about school identity. I never had much "school spirit" ... until now. During my tour of the campus I realized it resonated with me in a way that no other school had. I can't wait to take part in the school traditions. I can't wait to make this school my second home.<br /><br />I hope all has been well with you, friends! I can't wait to share this adventure with you!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/28950733076/in/dateposted/" title="little shadow."><img alt="little shadow." height="458" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8574/28950733076_a4de36b495_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-46047085592443056892016-07-03T19:09:00.000-04:002016-07-03T22:53:55.247-04:00keemun imperial black tea from teavivre.<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/27778892900/in/photostream/" title="keemun imperial black tea."><img alt="keemun imperial black tea." height="480" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7273/27778892900_229bb0b291_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Hello friends, long time no see! Apologies for getting burnt out on tea blogging a little bit. I took some time away from sharing everything I was sipping and focused on enjoying things in the moment, and finally I feel the drive to write and share my tea adventures again! Despite being inactive here I've been consistently active on my instagram account. <a href="http://www.instagram.com/teaconjurer">Check me out there</a>!<br /><br />I was sent a parcel from <a href="http://www.teavivre.com/">Teavivre </a>of their <a href="http://www.teavivre.com/sale/spring-tea.html">Spring 2016</a> teas, and was thrilled to find the Keemun Imperial black tea tucked inside! A properly done Keemun always makes me think of chilly October afternoons, woodsmoke in the air, and honey-sweet treats -- this particular tea did just that!<br /><br />This variety of Keemun seemed heavy on the chocolate note. The leaves brewed a lovely clear amber cup. The steam smelled like cocoa and wildflower honey with a slight bit of woodiness. The first sip is smooth and sweet with a slightly smoky tang on the back of the tongue. The malty note keeps this tea feeling earthy and not overly sweet. The malt creates a heartiness that makes this Keemun perfect for sipping in the cooler months (<i>don't let that stop you from brewing in the summer!</i>) and results in a very enjoyable cup. It resteeped nicely and the quality of the brew remained strong after 3 infusions.<br /><br />Things that came to mind while I sipped: cocoa, dark honey, toast, smoke, pumpkins, autumn air.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.teavivre.com/keemun-imperial-black-tea/">Keemun Imperial black tea</a> was smooth, rich, and very comforting. I recommend picking this one up if you enjoy black teas with cocoa notes, or if you like daydreaming about autumn weather!<br /><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/27445783284/in/photostream/" title="amber brew."><img alt="amber brew." height="480" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7651/27445783284_ea22786838_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-89369590766979977782016-01-24T19:22:00.000-05:002016-01-24T19:23:23.572-05:00snowed in.<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/24294089390/in/dateposted/" title="reading"><img alt="reading" height="426" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1698/24294089390_a59385fca8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday winter storm Jonas dropped about 30" of snow all throughout our region. I watched as my car was slowly buried under a constant snowfall. By 8:00pm last night the only thing that remained visible were my side view mirrors! Today the skies were clear and the sun did its best to melt away what it could, but my car is still mostly buried. It looks like I'll be stuck inside tomorrow as well.<br /><br />Classes are off to a great start (despite the snowstorm making Monday attendance impossible) and I'm especially excited about my history and literature courses. The only thing that stinks is that my 365 photo project has already been derailed. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I leave for class at 6:45 in the morning and get home from work around 8:45 at night... there's just no time for photos.<br /><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/24536689456/in/photostream/" title="dreamy snowy day"><img alt="dreamy snowy day" height="426" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1476/24536689456_f183cf7ce8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><br />While snowed in I've been reading William Blake's poetry for class and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon for fun. I'm a bit torn with Outlander. It's a clearly entertaining book but I'm slightly unhappy with events that took place a few hundred pages in. Many people sing praises for the series so I'm working past it, but there was a section that skeeved me out a bit and I'm not quick to forget it.<br /><br />While I couldn't maintain the 365 photo project I can at least try to commit to my reading challenge this year! I've set the bar somewhat low at 30 books but I'll up the goal if I'm able to keep up a steady pace between work and school. Are any of you doing a reading challenge this year?<br /><br />This chilly evening calls for more reading, chicken soup, and another cup of tea! Stay warm, friends!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-50930588803717977902016-01-10T13:16:00.000-05:002016-01-10T13:16:53.505-05:00hello, 2016!<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/23960126820/in/dateposted/" title="rose tea. (8/365)"><img alt="rose tea. (8/365)" height="480" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1501/23960126820_611b34d446_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of my resolutions for the new year was to do a 365 photo project! 10 days in, however, and I'm already grappling with my belief of "quality over quantity" when it comes to photos. I had intended to post a week's worth of photos here but not all of them are really worth sharing on the blog. Instead I've selected 3 of my favorites from the week, but then what's the point of taking a photo every single day if I only share highlights and dump the rest on my flickr account? Grrrr. My perfectionist nature is a real beast.<br /><br />Maybe a 365 photo project will be too much for me with work, 16 credits, and life on my plate. Maybe I should just aspire to take photos more often but not daily if they'll be mediocre. We'll see!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/24214612311/in/dateposted/" title="homework begins (10/365)"><img alt="homework begins (10/365)" height="426" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1695/24214612311_5d5359d4d5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Surprisingly -- I'm already doing homework. Spring semester doesn't start until January 20th, but one of my professors emailed us and told us what the first assignment would be so we could get a head start. I'm pretty excited about the classes I'm taking: Introduction to Spanish, 19th Century English Literature, History of Western Civilization, and then my final required algebra course as well as public speaking (yuck).</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/24129390442/in/dateposted/" title="bespectacled bear (7/365)"><img alt="bespectacled bear (7/365)" height="480" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1677/24129390442_3e13e9fa40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week I was surprisingly busy. I had work, family was in from out of town, and I started swing dance classes! I spent a great deal of one day scouring an antique shop I had never been to and managed to find the darling cup pictured above. I then spent the rest of the day working on my college application and FAFSA paperwork (which I can't finish until I get my W2). This week I'm going to sit down and really work on my essays and hopefully get my applications to several schools submitted before classes start.<br /><br />I think today I'll bake a batch of English toffee scones for the week ahead... I found a scone batter recipe that is my favorite yet! Firm, moist, crumbly, and not too sweet!</div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-77192558022868953492015-12-31T14:07:00.000-05:002015-12-31T17:53:31.010-05:00goodbye 2015!<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/22914308622/in/dateposted-public/" title="milky tea."><img alt="milky tea." height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5696/22914308622_9f7340fff8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2015 has been a rollercoaster year for so many people -- including myself! I'm lucky in that this past year I was able to work, attend school, and even go on a fabulous vacation with my friends. I neglected photography in lieu of lazily snapping shots on my iPhone. The blog was extra dusty this year as I had many major changes happening and couldn't spare time to post regularly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2016 I am going to start a 365 photo project in order to help me appreciate the beautiful moments in my day-to-day routine and to put my camera to good use! I plan to work twice as hard at school this year, transfer colleges, and continue working towards earning my degree. I plan to pour kindness out into the world and to be extra conscientious with my actions. In 2016 I want to foster many creative outlets for myself -- swing dance, embroidery, and getting back into shooting rolls of film. I think 2015 felt dull because I didn't allow myself the time to be creative, but in 2016 I'm going to make time for creativity and act on inspiration when it hits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I wish all of you an abundantly joyful 2016! ❤</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-9805514344135747662015-10-25T15:20:00.000-04:002015-10-25T17:56:43.072-04:00reading nook blend from plum deluxe.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p37WrloBYt8/Vi0fwgdo07I/AAAAAAAABkw/UIkuhRJ7faQ/s1600/readingnook_0748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p37WrloBYt8/Vi0fwgdo07I/AAAAAAAABkw/UIkuhRJ7faQ/s640/readingnook_0748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I firmly believe tea is one of the loveliest beverages to have on hand while reading. Imagine my delight after being contacted by <a href="http://www.plumdeluxe.com/">Plum Deluxe</a>&nbsp;and seeing an offering on their site called the "<a href="http://www.plumdeluxe.com/product/reading-nook-blend">Reading Nook Blend</a>." I was immediately intrigued. I was sent a few others to try, but this one is being reviewed first as it arrived while I was studying for midterms. Seemed like a perfect brew to help me relax and stay alert!<br /><br />This blend contains a cream black tea base along with rosebuds, passionflowers, lavender, and chamomile. It brews up a radiant amber cup and the scent is incredibly pleasant. You get a strong floral aroma but the creaminess of the black tea base keeps it from being too perfumey.<br /><br />The flower I can detect right off the bat is the lavender. The bright flavor bursts through and is followed by a slightly spicy rose note. I pick up on a soft sweetness that I think is from the chamomile blossoms. The notes all blend together in such a way that no floral overpowers another. The balance of the aforementioned notes over the creamy base tea makes for a relaxing cup and is well suited for an afternoon spent reading.<br /><br />I also found this tea to be immensely enjoyable with a touch of raw honey. The honey amplified the creaminess of the base and allowed some of the brighter notes of the flowers to come through.<br /><br />Plum Deluxe teas are organic, GMO free, hand-blended, and fair trade! They offer a <a href="http://www.plumdeluxe.com/tea">Tea of the Month Club</a> which features a monthly limited-edition blend for members only as well as a second tea sample. I'll be writing about their Deluxe Pumpkin Spice and Peaches n' Dreams Oolong next!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfcIOEagRQ0/Vi0fwt6RAwI/AAAAAAAABk0/SED-JcSTyns/s1600/readingnook_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfcIOEagRQ0/Vi0fwt6RAwI/AAAAAAAABk0/SED-JcSTyns/s640/readingnook_0744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Even Chai couldn't get enough of the sweet floral aroma!</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-91736857066224724142015-09-01T16:47:00.000-04:002015-09-01T16:48:15.260-04:00hello, september.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4O8QeSzhp60/VeYAycm1-PI/AAAAAAAABhY/qXGQ0Ff0oGM/s1600/IMG_5217640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4O8QeSzhp60/VeYAycm1-PI/AAAAAAAABhY/qXGQ0Ff0oGM/s1600/IMG_5217640.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hello? Is anyone still there? My online presence since June has been practically nonexistent -- I can absolutely blame my new job for that one. I worked as much as I possibly could before school limited my ability to bring in income. On my off days I was too exhausted to take photos.<br /><br />I was lucky to be able to spend a week with my friends at the shore in Virginia Beach just before school started back up. I was mostly unplugged the entire week! No wifi/minimal cell service was one of the first things we discovered upon our arrival. I'm thankful for it, though. We played lots of card, dice, and board games. We drank and were merry. Every night (aside from my birthday dinner at a local crab shack) we had home cooked meals together. A select few of us would wander onto the beaches at night and stargaze. We were able to catch the tail end of the Perseid meteor shower and were able to witness bioluminescent waves to boot!<br /><br />No, I'm serious. The waves glowed. I took a photo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgUmnOusjD8/VeYDPPS91vI/AAAAAAAABho/PjMBsD2NUD0/s1600/IMG_4950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgUmnOusjD8/VeYDPPS91vI/AAAAAAAABho/PjMBsD2NUD0/s1600/IMG_4950.JPG" /></a></div><br />A crappy zero-light iPhone photo, but still!!! I had asked my friends "are the waves glowing!?" and they were all skeptical until a big wave crashed and it looked like a thunderstorm was happening within the foam. I forget how long we all stood out there mesmerized -- none of us had seen anything like it before! Thanks, phytoplankton!<br /><br />I really hope we're able to make vacations like that a regular thing every year. It was wonderful!<br /><br />I'm back in school now, my hours at work are cut back, and I'm keeping myself busy studying. I have a small degree of free time with which, as you might be able to tell, I used today to spruce things up around the blog! This summer was a rough one. I'm back and am sorry for my absence. Sometimes life just takes off and all you can do is hold on and wait for things to settle down!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-40210897248171684832015-06-05T13:49:00.001-04:002015-06-05T13:57:09.065-04:00thurbo moonlight darjeeling from golden tips tea.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTHzQG_7Ap4/VXHcgcjwNxI/AAAAAAAABcI/WNJnCllsC0I/s1600/_MG_3319_0659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTHzQG_7Ap4/VXHcgcjwNxI/AAAAAAAABcI/WNJnCllsC0I/s640/_MG_3319_0659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It went from incredible summery warmth to sudden spring coolness practically overnight. June started out with lots of rain, but I'm thankful for it! I think I tend to enjoy tea more when it's ever so slightly cool outside. Seeing as I didn't particularly want to go out I decided it would be a perfect time to review a tea! Today I'm drinking a sample sent over from Golden Tips Tea -- their <a href="http://goldentipstea.com/products/thurbo-moonlight-darjeeling-black-tea-second-flush-2014">Thurbo Moonlight Darjeeling</a>! This is a second flush Darjeeling (picked summer 2014) and is FTGFOP1 'Moonlight' grade. The leaves are brown with golden tips and hues of warm green scattered throughout. I was instantly reminded of autumn foliage when I opened the bag to look at them.<br /><br />This isn't the sort of tea that's meant to be consumed as a morning pick-me-up. It's a very light &amp; mellow cup which is best suited for enjoying during the day. It brews a light gold color and the aroma is very mild but sweet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_R03TWHFNM/VXHcgfdLlnI/AAAAAAAABcM/mIuw5zfe-PI/s1600/_MG_3323_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_R03TWHFNM/VXHcgfdLlnI/AAAAAAAABcM/mIuw5zfe-PI/s640/_MG_3323_0662.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The tea has no astringency that I can detect. The muscatel note is prominent upon first sip, and lingers into the aftertaste with a slight tartness. It is ever so slightly floral which sweetens the cup and makes the flavor seem more refined. I am almost reminded of lychee fruit -- sweet &amp; tangy with an almost perfumey floral flavor coming into play. Instead of lychee flavor outright, however, the core of the tea is a soft grape. This Darjeeling is incredibly pleasant to drink. It is definitely one of those brews that encourages you to savor every sip you take.<br /><br />This tea is the perfect companion to a good book and soft music. Once I finish this post I'll be brewing the remainder of the sample and spending my afternoon reading and relaxing!<br /><br />Check this tea out along with others at the <a href="http://goldentipstea.com/">Golden Tips Tea</a> website!<br /><br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-65593163358519985342015-04-30T19:02:00.001-04:002015-05-06T20:50:38.331-04:00two more weeks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7ghR_jNZ2M/VUKxod753II/AAAAAAAABUw/7HSIAJZoqdE/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7ghR_jNZ2M/VUKxod753II/AAAAAAAABUw/7HSIAJZoqdE/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></div><br />Crunch-time at school has truly begun! These past few weeks have been rather hectic: my big thesis paper on Henry James's <i>The Turn of the Screw</i> has proven to be quite a task. It's surreal to watch the days fly by as the work piles up; I'm having a hard time believing tomorrow is May 1st!<br /><br />I squeeze in some time for reading books of my own choosing here and there, but my thesis is apparently a rather convoluted one and eats up so much time. It's kinda neat to read about how William James (Henry's brother) was involved in "The Society for Psychical Research" and performed paranormal investigations. Many scholars make a connection to his brother's involvement in the supernatural to this story in particular. It's fun and all, but rereading the same Gothic novella over and over is starting to feel like pulling teeth.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bt6YayZM14/VUKxo1cFxlI/AAAAAAAABU0/WI8knw_B2cM/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bt6YayZM14/VUKxo1cFxlI/AAAAAAAABU0/WI8knw_B2cM/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" height="638" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully this is what the campus looks like nowadays! I can take all my books into the vast garden attached to the manor -- the original home of the woman who bequeathed the land to the parent university. It's an incredible building with her sculptures all throughout the garden. In fact, you can see one in this very photo! It's the perfect place to sit with a cup of tea, books, and music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't believe my first semester back after a long time away is finally coming to a close! It's been more fun than I could have possibly imagined. I'll be back once finals are done!&nbsp;❤</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-29139554444244864082015-04-16T13:30:00.000-04:002015-04-16T14:27:04.650-04:00currently reading: "the first law" trilogy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nbdqdANeIk/VS_pBScp_FI/AAAAAAAABTI/wBv0bQ4z_GQ/s1600/IMG_3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nbdqdANeIk/VS_pBScp_FI/AAAAAAAABTI/wBv0bQ4z_GQ/s1600/IMG_3202.JPG" /></a></div><br />I should be working on a thesis paper or something, but I have the day off and I decided to toss my work on Henry James aside and enjoy some brutal fantasy instead. Joe Abercrombie's trilogy, <i>The First Law</i>, has proven to be an exceptionally enjoyable read. My friend recommended it and has yet again proven that we are on the same book wavelength. I finished The Blade Itself last night. The most dangerous thing about owning a Kindle is that I instantaneously bought the next book and was up reading well past 1 in the morning.<br /><br />It seriously took me <b>forever </b>to finish <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/944073.The_Blade_Itself">The Blade Itself</a></i> because my one class requires so much reading and writing that I had to dedicate my full attention to my assignments instead. I'm so happy I tackled all my work earlier this week so I could sit down and do some reading of my own accord!<br /><br />Much like George R.R. Martin's <i>A Song of Ice and Fire</i>&nbsp;these novels have chapters which shift between the main characters and their points of view. The characters are all written differently and the writing in the chapters reflect their personality traits clearly. There's a wizard, berserker, vengeful warrior woman, hoity-toity knight, burdened knight, tortured torturer, and so on. It has the basic fantasy tropes, but it stands out from other novels. There is a light-heartedness and simultaneous dark humor to the books that made me chuckle numerous times while reading. None of these characters are perfect and their personal conflicts develop through their individual chapters, and are embellished as the main characters all begin to interact with eachother. Also, holy crap, Joe Abercrombie writes extremely visceral battles. The violence is brutal and the fights rarely end without casualties. My only gripe was that the story moved very slowly for a while, but it seems that the majority of the first novel was truly establishing the characters and the main conflict. The first book in this trilogy was a great read!<br /><br />Now I just need to make time for the next book: <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/902715.Before_They_Are_Hanged">Before They Are Hanged</a>.</i>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-9464104964419410512015-04-14T18:23:00.000-04:002015-04-14T18:43:26.632-04:002013 raw pu'er mao cha from misty peak teas.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/16962816018" title="2013 raw pu'er mao cha. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 raw pu'er mao cha." height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7625/16962816018_9d4d09be34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Hello, friends! Long time no see! School has been an absolute whirlwind and demanded almost all of my attention for a while. It might be my first year back at college, but I am not in first year classes. The school accepted all of my old credits and so I came back to classes that didn't exactly offer a gentle transition back into the system. Stress levels have been high and energy levels at a severe low. When I was contacted by Nicolas of&nbsp;<a href="http://mistypeakteas.com/">Misty Peak Teas</a> I was sick, stressed out, and sleep deprived. I was sent a sample of their 2013 raw pu'er Mao Cha loose leaf tea. It wasn't until I opened the bag and <b>literally </b>dusted off my gaiwan that I realized how long it had been since I made tea properly. Since I started this semester my tea time has consisted of me flinging a tea bag into a travel mug and running out the door before sunrise. Not good!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This pu'er sample was not only wonderful in quality but wonderful in it's timing. During a period of high stress it prompted me to sit down, relax, and <i>enjoy </i>my tea. It had been a while since my mind wasn't focused on numerous due dates. I opened the bag and was delighted by the large and slim rolled leaves. The scent I got from them was surprisingly sweet! My first thought was, "Oh, this smells like fruit leather!" I freakin' love fruit leather, by the way. Best snack ever!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/17149957141" title="2013 raw pu'er mao cha. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 raw pu'er mao cha." height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8761/17149957141_208eeca41b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The brewed leaves provided a beautiful light gold liquor. The scent of fruit leather diminished but the steam coming off my cup still smelled light and sweet. The flavor of the tea is bright and strong. It has a great deal of flavor but it is isn't heavy at all. The first sip was tart, then I got a note similar to apricot, and a sharp sweetness topped it off. Stone fruits and soft mineral notes permeated my senses. I am still a pu'er novice so I found myself comparing this pu'er to a quality Darjeeling. Yes, those two teas are quite different from one another, but comparing them helped me enjoy and understand this tea more! I was able to brew the leaves multiple times and the quality of the cup never diminished. I enjoyed the rest of my tea with the springtime sun shining on my face, and not a worry in the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://mistypeakteas.com/">Misty Peak Teas</a> sources their tea directly from one family in Yunnan province. They are closely involved with the family, offer fair trade, and provide their customers with high quality tea direct from the source! This tea was a complete delight to brew and provided me with a moment of peacefulness in the midst of college madness. Thank you Nicholas for sending this sample my way!</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-62019172366525621612015-02-24T17:24:00.001-05:002015-02-24T20:30:57.991-05:00a few changes!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/16450688338" title="okayti silver needle darjeeling. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="okayti silver needle darjeeling." height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8637/16450688338_0d70d191a0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So as some of you may notice ... the URL for the blog has changed from sageandspice.com to <b>teaconjurer.com</b>! I've been dissatisfied with the name of the blog for the longest time, but never had the motivation to actually change anything. I then thought that perhaps updating the blog's identity to better suit me would not only cure my dissatisfaction, but also give me incentive to do some spring cleaning with the look and feel of the site!&nbsp;❤</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm the gal that makes tea magically appear wherever I go so the title is fitting. :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately I am having difficulties getting sageandspice.com to forward to this URL automatically. I think it's because I bought my domain through google admin services (biggest mistake ever) and it's just not budging to let me forward it. Any advice, fellow identity changing bloggers?</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-18456653597932799022015-01-23T19:04:00.000-05:002015-01-23T19:04:36.269-05:00the first week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBd7RyQdAXQ/VMLeJp7cc9I/AAAAAAAABMo/GFj56USF9lg/s1600/IMG_2056sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBd7RyQdAXQ/VMLeJp7cc9I/AAAAAAAABMo/GFj56USF9lg/s1600/IMG_2056sm.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I finished my first week of classes! I know to some it may not seem so monumental, but the moment I set foot in a classroom it felt so right. I'm so excited that I decided to return. Of course my first semester back is the moment Mother Nature decided to drop some snow on our area. My fingers and toes are crossed that the snowfall Sunday night is cleaned up by Monday morning, or that they cancel classes. The school isn't SUPER far away, but the roads are very curvy and definitely treacherous when there's ice/snow. I really don't want to drive in that mess...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I can't wait for spring when I can sit in the beautiful gardens attached to the manor and sip my tea in the sunshine. The cool thing about this little community college is that the campus is on an old estate and there are tons of super old buildings and gorgeous architecture. The one building has a parlour type of room converted to a lovely study area. They unfortunately don't run the fireplace, but if they did I imagine I would stay on campus and do my homework beside it all the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I got myself a <b>GIGANTIC CINNAMON BUN</b> to celebrate. I ate 1/4 of it and the rest is sitting in the kitchen in the hopes that my family will decide to partake because it really is that ridiculously big.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p39OnOdJPP8/VMLd3Uu8NoI/AAAAAAAABMg/yEePlp-6TbI/s1600/zlCfzS6pQU8XbchgTC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p39OnOdJPP8/VMLd3Uu8NoI/AAAAAAAABMg/yEePlp-6TbI/s1600/zlCfzS6pQU8XbchgTC.jpg" /></a></div><br />In between classes I've been working on making my Animal Crossing house SUPER CUTE and extra pink! I even worked at the cafe in the game and Brewster gave me a cup and saucer set along with an espresso pot. How appropriate!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-9769334023640625192015-01-06T14:26:00.000-05:002015-01-06T18:05:46.855-05:00snowy days.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/16030262207" title="dusty snow. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="dusty snow." height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/16030262207_9855b3ec8c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier this week it was a balmy 55ºF and today it's plummeted to 21ºF with the sort of dreamy dusty snow I love. It's like Mother Nature is sifting powdered sugar over my backyard! Unfortunately our township lacks any sort of initiative when it comes to weather preparation and the salt trucks only showed up recently -- I've yet to hear a snowplow rumble down the street. I've been snowed in all day today and I am worrying that I'll miss dance class tonight. My tires are worn out I don't know if I can handle sliding to the studio at night without being a bit sick to my stomach with stress.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/16215288402" title="earl grey. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="earl grey." height="426" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/16215288402_66290f7dc0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Because I've been snowed in I've been drinking lots of tea to keep warm and decided to make some more progress on a series I was recommended by a friend: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Law">The First Law</a>&nbsp;by Joe Abercrombie. Currently I'm halfway through The Blade Itself and it is proving to be an exceptionally enjoyable book! It's a really visceral fantasy world with gritty violence, war, classism, complex characters, and distinctive POV chapters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm so glad I dropped Scott Lynch's second book in the Gentleman Bastards series for this. The Lies of Locke Lamora was a fantastic novel, but for whatever reason the followup book felt like a clumsy mess. The pirate segment made me lose interest in the series entirely as it popped up out of nowhere in the middle of a lot of major plot turning points. I didn't even stick around to see things resolve! Sorry to all my friends who rave about the series. I don't like pirates!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/16190206286" title="words and dust. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="words and dust." height="426" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/16190206286_8380cb122a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm really glad I bought myself a Kindle a while back! Having instant gratification with my books is such an awesome feeling. To finish one book and download the next is so great for someone who tends to plow through novels in record time. I feel like I'm betraying my standards a bit because I love turning pages, smelling the paper, but the Kindle is such a solid piece of technology that I couldn't resist it any longer! Plus, it tucks neatly into the majority of my purses!<br /><br />What books are you reading as of late? Any recommendations?&nbsp;❤</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-86199477872733103262015-01-05T15:34:00.000-05:002015-01-05T15:35:39.354-05:00ba ka ngoi puerh by jalamteas.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15588238233" title="ba ka ngoi puerh. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="ba ka ngoi puerh." src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/15588238233_4fb7a2d475_z.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Recently <a href="http://www.jalamteas.com/">JalamTeas</a> sent me a new puerh cake to try -- their <a href="http://www.jalamteas.com/pages/ba-ka-ngoi">Ba Ka Ngoi</a> offering! I had, at the time, been made a little bit wary of puerh after getting my butt kicked by a super powerful pungent one. This cake, however, was neither pungent or powerful. It brewed a mellow &amp; balanced cup that I found to be truly enjoyable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The tea was harvested in the summer of 2013 from the Pulang Mountain Range at an altitude of 1300-1400m.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cake is easy to break apart and has lots of full dark leaves with amber tips scattered throughout. Upon brewing the tea is dark -- almost black -- and the steam smells of damp wood &amp; soil. It is very mellow. The first sip has only a touch of astringency followed by a smooth cedar note that fades into a tangy aftertaste. The more you brew it the more reddish the liquor gets. It holds up very well to several steepings without the flavor being compromised! It lightens up but the cedar note remains, and in later steepings I noticed it became notably sweeter and less tangy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is one of those easy drinking puerhs that you can brew for friends &amp; family to introduce them to the tea. You get that feeling of it being a wild tea, foresty and dark, but without anything overwhelming to the palate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you, JalamTeas, for sending me such a lovely treat!</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-66777083826919244102014-12-30T23:52:00.001-05:002016-08-15T22:30:11.170-04:00goodbye, 2014! ✨<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKYoYhhQkSg/VKG8FPZl0RI/AAAAAAAABLQ/Ot9n-Z4K1Ms/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKYoYhhQkSg/VKG8FPZl0RI/AAAAAAAABLQ/Ot9n-Z4K1Ms/s1600/blog2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">2014 has been one of those years with extreme highs and extreme lows, and now it is finally coming to a close. I am quite relieved to be honest! Come January I'll be starting life anew as a student and putting a lot of negativity behind me. This past month has been a flurry of getting my things in order before the semester starts, plus the baseline chaos of the holidays!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The reality is still sinking in that as of 2015 I'll be in classes full time! I'm more happy than terrified, though. 2014 taught me that while I can get by on my own if I put my mind to it, the situation I had placed myself in was a less than ideal one. I became acquainted with struggling financially and the burden the dollar (or lack thereof) bears. I accepted that if I wanted to live comfortably I would need to return to school instead of relying on my job experience in the insurance industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy new year, dear readers! May your teacups be filled to the brim with happiness and good fortune in 2015!&nbsp;☕❤</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-18223339910519703892014-11-06T13:18:00.000-05:002014-11-06T13:18:43.091-05:00hosen sencha from ippodo tea co.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15540716887" title="hosen sencha. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="hosen sencha." height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/15540716887_79f3a61774_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is one of those rainy grey November days that reminds you autumn is coming to a close. I trudged through the parking lot at work, got splashed by a car driving by, and was chilled to the core afterward. I got home and decided to tackle some of the tea reviews I have pending! The folks at <a href="https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shopf/index.html">Ippodo Tea Co.</a> were kind enough to reach out and send me two of their sencha offerings in a beautiful gift box! I received the <a href="https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shopf/goods/index.html?ggcd=503612">Hosen</a> and <a href="https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shopf/goods/index.html?ggcd=506612">Unro</a> teas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today I am brewing their <a href="https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shopf/goods/index.html?ggcd=503612">Hosen</a> tea. A cup of this was bright enough to combat the chill I got outside! On the website it states this is the sencha they recommend to newcomers. It is bright, palatable, and complex without being overwhelming!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15727450982" title="hosen. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="hosen." height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15727450982_b7e12ed2cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The dry leaves are shiny and a beautiful emerald green. The aroma is very light and sweet -- almost sugary! Ippodo recommends you brew 2 tbsp of this tea in a kyusu teapot at 80° C / 175° F for one minute.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15723976541" title="ippodo tea. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="ippodo tea." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15723976541_9e4fd906d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The color of the cup is a pale yellowish green. The sweet scent of the dry leaves remains after brewing and is very aromatic and pleasant when sipping. Upon first taste the tongue is hit with a mellow vegetal flavor that lightens up on the palate into a high citrus note. The aftertaste that remains is reminiscent of asparagus -- green and snappy. I accidentally oversteeped mine and found that the tea is exceptionally forgiving. It didn't become unbearably astringent or undrinkable. I found that in a subsequent proper steeping the aftertaste is lighter and more floral if you don't oversteep. It was almost reminiscent of orange blossom as opposed to asparagus. They were still both very enjoyable brews!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the tea I'm going to save for rainy days. It is bright, refreshing, and a great way to escape the autumnal blues!&nbsp;❤</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-14800522566999290812014-09-14T14:33:00.001-04:002014-09-14T15:01:45.207-04:00pax prime 2014.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15234553761" title="airborne. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="airborne." height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/15234553761_3c2b104694_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">ALRIGHT GUYS! This is one heck of an image-heavy post. I apologize but I can't help but share all my photos from another phenomenal trip out to Seattle to visit my sweetie. I flew out just after my birthday because Dan got us tickets to PAX! PAX is a super-massive videogame expo that occurs annually in Seattle. It is actually so incredibly successful that there are additional expos in Boston, San Antonio, and even Melbourne! My flight out from Philadelphia was delayed for an hour and I quickly realized how many people present were flying out for PAX. We all had our 3DSes out and were playing Mario Kart &amp; Animal Crossing to pass the time. On the plane I was even seated next to a dev who was traveling to promote his game!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15051068288" title="waiting. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="waiting." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/15051068288_5ce90f01f0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was warned ahead of time by people at the airport (and later again by Dan) that PAX is all about lining up to see certain panels and shows. <i>I had no idea just how many lines I would be in over the 4-day expo</i>. Dan and I waited for a lot of great panels including Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy), the team working on remastering Grim Fandango, and my personal favorite: Pat Rothfuss. During those queues I was constantly getting streetpassed on my 3DS. It was amazing!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15234553591" title="LCS. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="LCS." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/15234553591_43075a3367_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Also occurring within PAX was the League of Legends LCS tournament. I don't personally play LoL but I do enjoy watching competitive gaming. I was really impressed by the huge setup Riot had and the enthusiasm of the crowds. I wanted to sit in on a few matches but seeing as I don't really play the game I opted to relinquish my seat to someone who was far more enthusiastic about it than I was. How could I not poke my head in for a little bit, though? I mean ... LOOK AT ALL THE FLASHING COLORFUL LIGHTS. I was drawn to the area like a darn moth!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15050885699" title="pat rothfuss. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="pat rothfuss." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3879/15050885699_517963d75f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Patrick Rothfuss panel by and far was my favorite part of the expo. He's one of my favorite authors (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186074.The_Name_of_the_Wind">The Name of the Wind</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1215032.The_Wise_Man_s_Fear">The Wise Man's Fear</a>) and he read us some excerpts of his work and entertained us with his absolutely excessive use of the word 'fuck.' I mean ... he actually used it with such frequency that a mother escorted her child from the auditorium while covering her ears. After the laughter, the great readings, and mildly disturbing storytime he closed the panel by leading all 3,000 people present in singing "You Are My Sunshine." Admittedly, I got a little bit misty eyed and had chills all over. It also put a huge smile on my face for the rest of the day. It prompted me and Dan to grab coffee &amp; donuts sit in line first thing the next morning to get all his releases signed by him. 100% worth it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was also made more worthwhile cause by the time we got out of the signing they had free delicious turkey legs waiting outside to advertise the new Gauntlet game. Breakfast AND lunch taken care of!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15234552681" title="oculus rift. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="oculus rift." height="636" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/15234552681_10bfbce668_z.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Another really cool thing that happened on this trip was that I FINALLY GOT TO TRY THE OCULUS RIFT!!!! This is a piece of technology I am so excited for. Dan's friend ran the Tuscan Villa simulator for me and I got to explore a cute little house on the sea while being completely immersed in the environment. I hope I one day get to try many other games on this, and I can't wait to see what is eventually released specifically for the Oculus.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15237263032" title="omegathon 2014. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="omegathon 2014." height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/15237263032_caac29e860_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The weekend concluded with Omegathon which is a tournament that occurs throughout the expo and is the grand finale for the convention. This year the final game they played was competetive Pac-Man. I never thought I would witness so many people screaming and cheering over the game, but that's exactly what happened. The positive energy in the crowd was absolutely contagious! When we made it back to the house I was a little bit sad it was over -- although my legs were relieved!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">PAX felt like a safe haven. Where I could be myself and not feel judged for liking videogames and fantasy novels. It was an extremely positive experience for me. I normally&nbsp;have debilitating anxiety in crowds of&nbsp;people but when I found myself among everyone I only had genuinely pleasant interactions. If you knew me personally you'd know that a lot of my experiences with strangers as of late have been unpleasant and upsetting. PAX restored my faith in humanity. Shoutout to the girl working at Geek Chic who showered me with a lot of really lovely compliments and made me feel super pretty!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now you guys officially know how much I like videogames.&nbsp;❤</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/15237638235" title="strawberry crepe. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="strawberry crepe." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/15237638235_3246b926cd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, on my last day out I FINALLY TRIED CREPES FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! That was the icing on my happy cake. :D</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-85475273338073890942014-08-19T15:05:00.001-04:002014-08-19T15:09:21.326-04:00jasmine silver needle white tea from teavivre.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/14971877052" title="jasmine silver needle white. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="jasmine silver needle white." height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14971877052_85a54fee3a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The folks over at <a href="http://www.teavivre.com/">Teavivre</a> were kind enough to send over a few samples to try! Considering how hot it's been ... I opted to start tasting the teas they sent with a very refreshing <a href="http://www.teavivre.com/jasmine-silver-needle-tea/">Mo Li Yin Zhen</a>. The leaves are long, unbroken, and pale in color. Upon opening the bag you're immediately hit with the scent of delicate jasmine.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/14785532029" title="mo li yin zhen. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="mo li yin zhen." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/14785532029_b74cd2b481_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The tea when brewed is a very pale yellow and crystal clear. In the past my experience with jasmine teas have been limited to miscellaneous green teas in the form of jasmine scented pearls. Those teas were far more cloying, astringent, and unforgiving if you steeped a moment too long. For that reason I generally avoided jasmine in my teas. This tea is far more gentle than the ones I've tried in the past. The white base is delicate and light on the palate, and the jasmine is not overpowering. When you first sip you'll find that the jasmine fills your sinuses with sharp white floral notes, but then it softens and you get to experience the white tea base. Delicate, slightly nutty, and delightfully sweet. Wonderfully light for a hot summer day like today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This <a href="http://www.teavivre.com/jasmine-silver-needle-tea/">jasmine silver needle white tea</a> is perfect for someone who loves jasmine but struggles with finding the right balance between the tea leaf and flower! It is a well balanced floral tea that does not rely on heavy jasmine to mask the faults of the tea base. It is high quality all around and a very enjoyable brew!</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-8842642490524994292014-08-04T02:17:00.001-04:002014-08-04T02:17:23.766-04:00never looking back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vL_XMyvjiJI/U98f87HBScI/AAAAAAAABIE/hHFV3hU7dnE/s1600/teagif1.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vL_XMyvjiJI/U98f87HBScI/AAAAAAAABIE/hHFV3hU7dnE/s1600/teagif1.GIF" height="640" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Gosh, I am one stressed out gal right now! What a lot of people don't know about me is that I am someone who micromanages their life to ridiculous degrees. As much as I like the idea of spontaneity it is simply something that doesn't suit me most of the time. I plan things out weeks in advance. I make reservations for everything.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm also a creature of terrible habit. Once I fall into a comfortable cycle I am weary to change anything. It's lead my life into something of a melancholy standstill. After having to give up my cozy cottage apartment I quickly realized that life doesn't care one bit about comfortable cycles and it will derail everything when it gets the chance. And you know what? That's okay. The events following the start of the new year kicked my butt, but it gave me the drive to improve my life drastically. I did a couple spontaneous things that have already paid me back tenfold with happiness. I started to stop caring about being comfortable and started caring about living my life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With that said, I made the decision to go back to school. What will I study? Hell if I know right now. I got ahead of myself and started trying to plan out the next 2-4 years of my life to ridiculous degrees and became overwhelmed completely. I had to tell myself: "<i>Danielle, stop, just go where life takes you</i>." I'm hoping to get into classes for spring semester with credits transferred from my old college. It's actually a hilariously terrifying prospect -- returning to school after so many years of being disillusioned. Here I am doing just that, though! Eek!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm making sure that I always have something to look forward to and work towards from this point forward. :)</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-12152531441955432192014-07-06T19:00:00.000-04:002014-07-06T19:00:34.424-04:00june adventures.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/14567806126" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="juicy pork dumplings. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="juicy pork dumplings." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/14567806126_f738f9dba7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(Juicy pork dumplings, aka: dumplings filled with the brothy nectar of the gods.)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">May &amp; June were exceptionally busy months! Apologies for my internet absence. My computer situation is squared away at last. It feels so good to have a working desktop and Photoshop back at my fingertips!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">June saw me flying alone as an adult for the first time EVER to visit my boyfriend who is conveniently located at the opposite end of the country. Philadelphia to Seattle! 2,821mi commute, no big deal, right? I was utterly racked with anxiety, nerves, and an unrelenting fear that an otherwise reliable modern technology would fail and I'd drop out of the sky in a giant airborne tin can. My flight out was apparently an unusually bad one according to the seasoned travelers seated around me. The takeoff was jarring and the severe turbulence while dodging storms brought me close to being ill. I made it to Seattle in one piece, though!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/14590149242" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="rattlesnake ledge. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="rattlesnake ledge." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14590149242_e79fa78c1c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(I didn't believe him when he told me that was what we were hiking up to. I was absolutely wrong.)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The coolest thing about Seattle and the surrounding areas are the forests and MOUNTAINS. I could NOT get over Mt. Rainier in the distance. We have some Appalachian mountains a decent drive out from the Philadelphia area, but they absolutely pale in comparison to the Cascade Range. The weather during my visit was utterly beautiful (sunny and in the 70s, what more could I ask for?) and the first time I caught a glimpse of Mt. Rainier I was in a state of complete awe. It was the first time I had ever seen a snow-capped mountain. One of the things we did during my visit was drive into the mountains a bit and hike up Rattlesnake Ledge -- planting me in the middle of the gorgeous mountainous area just outside the city.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The hike was a motherfucker. I can't think of a more pleasant way to phrase it. It kicked my butt. I was wheezing, sweating, huffing and puffing the entire way up. I was told I sounded like I was in pain. I was. Sometimes it felt like I was just going to collapse and topple off of a ledge. When Dan mentioned we had hit the halfway point all I could think was, "I might actually die today, but at least I tried."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a while and a few encouraging comments from people making the descent from the top ... we made it!!!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/14588968104" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="view from the top. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr"><img alt="view from the top." height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14588968104_452c041331_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(Not our dog, just another hiker's cute companion enjoying the view with us!)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">People had their kids up there, dogs, and so on. The clouds cleared enough for me to see far into the distance. It really was one of those gorgeous vistas that makes you appreciate being alive and well enough to see it all in person. The perilous hike up was absolutely worth the end result.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The descent also sucked, but not nearly as much. By that point the blisters I acquired on the way up had burst and were now just actively bleeding into my shoes. My socks were damp with blood and at some point the pain became so constant that I was able to ignore it. Glamorous, right? Still worth it!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JFGn5TCX0A/U7nN4T6UWCI/AAAAAAAABGM/BprKpc8cW6o/s1600/thebarkingfrog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JFGn5TCX0A/U7nN4T6UWCI/AAAAAAAABGM/BprKpc8cW6o/s1600/thebarkingfrog.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(Cardamom rose cocktail &amp; beef tenderloin w/egg yolk ravioli. Pinch me, I'm dreaming!)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of my visit was far more leisurely. I was taken on a bit of a culinary tour and got to eat at some amazing restaurants. I've never had so much decadent food in my entire life! I think I flew back to Philadelphia a few pounds heavier. I was shown about Seattle proper but absolutely refused to go in the Space Needle because of my fear of heights. I did get to see Pike Place Market, though! We saw the fantasy, science fiction, and horror exhibits at the EMP Museum and went to the Spies exhibit at the Pacific Science Center. The week flew by, and before I knew it I was on a red-eye flight back to the East Coast. I can't wait for my next trip out!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hope all has been well with you, dear readers!&nbsp;❤</div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-73773586561546752972014-06-01T13:22:00.000-04:002014-06-01T13:22:51.676-04:00a brief pause.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRMXEmHGSLI/U4tgx_3wJ-I/AAAAAAAABFg/8uEavIqlffw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRMXEmHGSLI/U4tgx_3wJ-I/AAAAAAAABFg/8uEavIqlffw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm sure you've noticed things have been quiet over here! Last month my computer died and took <b>everything </b>with it ... photos, videos, music, etc. I lost ALL of my data aside from a few important things I had the forethought to back up. I have tea photos on my camera memory card, tasting notes jotted down, and lots of things to share! At the moment, though, I am a bit technologically limited. I have a borrowed laptop I'm using until I can get a new PC, but I don't think Photoshop and Bridge will play nice with it (heck, they didn't even play nice with my old computer sometimes!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope to be back in the swing of things soon!! :) I'm still posting photos on instagram and doing my best with my little iPhone camera in the meantime. Hope all is well with you, readers!</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-66899679822383469812014-04-10T17:11:00.000-04:002014-04-11T12:37:10.237-04:00boxes, boxes, boxes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXqUnVdpL7g/U0gZNEjlQvI/AAAAAAAABE0/Kj2whxIOUfI/s1600/teagif.gif"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXqUnVdpL7g/U0gZNEjlQvI/AAAAAAAABE0/Kj2whxIOUfI/s1600/teagif.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Dealing with tons of stress lately ... the other day I was packing and getting ready for my dad &amp; friend to come over to help me move large furniture. I took trash downstairs and a girl was looking for me frantically -- she nailed my parked car while pulling in to the parking lot. At first the damage didn't look too severe. Then I looked at the hit in different lighting. HOLY DENT, BATMAN! I did my best to remain calm and pleasant because she was visibly upset. Meanwhile, I just recall saying, "Why me?" in my head over and over in that moment. Very glad I got her insurance information. Then, while packing, I managed to lose my grip on my camera and dropped it so hard that the lens shattered into a bunch of very irreparable pieces. The camera body was fine, but ... sigh. RIP little Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. Your bokeh was always beautiful. :'(</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When it rains, it pours, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the meantime, I bought a beautiful Lomonosov teacup as a sort of "welcome home" present to myself. I had always loved their cobalt &amp; gold teacups, and finally found a teacup in the "Tenderness" style on Etsy for an affordable price. After moving a few more things in today I treated myself to some of Verdant Tea's <a href="http://verdanttea.com/teas/mi-lan-xiang-phoenix-mountain-dancong/">Mi Lan Xiang Phoenix Mountain Dancong</a> in my lovely new cup! Chai and I need to relax &amp; have tea time in the sun after all this chaos!</div><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseviii/13766633934" title="tea time. by Danielle Pigeon, on Flickr">&nbsp;<img alt="tea time." src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/13766633934_6410404aa2_z.jpg" /></a>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3796088688092597206.post-50282908877337077452014-04-05T19:44:00.000-04:002014-04-05T19:44:46.727-04:00new glasses!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJZbdbtmeoI/U0CNaVcjnWI/AAAAAAAABEg/xOgeO-1Qqt0/s1600/1939581_630120634367_1940734179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJZbdbtmeoI/U0CNaVcjnWI/AAAAAAAABEg/xOgeO-1Qqt0/s1600/1939581_630120634367_1940734179_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When you're living out of boxes life can start to feel very unglamorous and dreary. Plus, after breakups you generally have to fight an urge to cut your hair, or change something drastic about your appearance to improve your mood. &nbsp;I love my long hair and didn't want to chop anything off, but I felt that urge and opted to find a new pair of frames to liven up my face instead!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These frames are <a href="http://www.ray-ban.com/usa/eyeglasses/RX5226-rb5226-black/805289432814">Ray-Ban RX5226</a> and I love them! They are perfectly cat eyed and work really well with a bright red pout to match the contrast of the black acetate. My mom even chipped in to get me really nice super thin coated glass lenses as my plastic ones were not as glare resistant as I liked.&nbsp;❤</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm wearing <a href="http://www.sephora.com/cashmere-lip-cream-P381730?skuId=1529353">Bite Beauty Cashmere Lip Cream in "Port"</a>. It is one of my favorite beauty products. It is a super thick highly pigmented lip cream with a semi matte finish that stays all day. A little goes a long way and the color is just incredible. I have a hard time with a lot of red lipsticks because of bleeding color, dryness, and having it wear off on my teeth. The cashmere lip cream stays put and hardly fades. I don't like spending a lot of money on cosmetics, but this one is just too good not to own!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Also, Game of Thrones is back tomorrow! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459933765707568457noreply@blogger.com3